• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Virgil van Dijk reacts to report on why Liverpool star Cody Gakpo withdrew from Netherlands squad

Home> Football

Published 20:43 23 Mar 2023 GMT

Virgil van Dijk reacts to report on why Liverpool star Cody Gakpo withdrew from Netherlands squad

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has addressed Cody Gakpo's Netherlands withdrawal.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has partially dismissed a report that a 'chicken curry' was the reason behind Cody Gakpo's withdrawal from the Netherlands squad.

Gakpo was one of five players to pull out of the squad with a viral infection on Thursday morning. Newcastle's Sven Botman and Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt were among the other players affected.

Gakpo's withdrawal will surely have sparked concern among Reds boss Jurgen Klopp and his medical staff, with the Dutch international beginning to show his full potential in a centre forward role at Anfield.

Advert

He netted a brace in the 7-0 win over Manchester United at Anfield earlier this month, and earned the player of the match award.

But he will not feature in Netherlands' upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and Gibraltar, their first fixtures under the new management of Ronald Koeman.

Speaking prior to the game, Van Dijk has - at this stage, at least - quashed one rumour behind why the players withdrew.

Van Dijk dismisses Gakpo claim

De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verweij claimed that members of the Dutch contingent are 'convinced' that a 'chicken curry' served in the team hotel was the reason behind Gakpo and a number of team-mates being forced to withdraw.

Advert

But speaking to Dutch outlet NOS on Thursday, Van Dijk stated he didn't know where that story had come from - and that the cause of the viral infection had not yet been learned.

He explained: "I don't know where that story comes from. I also ate chicken curry myself and it was delicious.

"Whether that is the cause? No idea. No-one has an idea. I can't imagine. It was very strange.

"In our group app, messages suddenly came through that some boys were going home, that they were ill. That was a bit of a shock."

Advert

Liverpool will hope that Gakpo recovers in time for their next Premier League fixtures. They take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on April 1.

They then embark a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on April 4, before hosting league leaders Arsenal five days later.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy / Broer van den Boom/Orange Pictures / ANP MAURICE VAN STONE

Topics: Liverpool, Cody Gakpo, Virgil Van Dijk, Netherlands, Premier League

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
5 hours ago
6 hours ago
7 hours ago
  • 4 hours ago

    Erik ten Hag suffers humiliating defeat in first Bayer Leverkusen game and everyone is saying the same thing

    Erik ten Hag got off to the worst possible start at Bayer Leverkusen when they faced Flamengo's Under 20 side in Rio de Janeiro.

    Football
  • 5 hours ago

    Arsenal accidentally leak new signing that nobody knew about after announcing Noni Madueke

    Arsenal announced the signing of Noni Madueke but accidentally leaked another addition to Mikel Arteta's squad.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Alexander Isak gives 'green light' for staggering transfer as agent 'begins talks' with shock club

    Alexander Isak's agent is in talks over a shock move away from Newcastle United.

    Football
  • 7 hours ago

    Manchester City plotting shock move for England star as Fabrizio Romano drops bombshell on transfer

    Word on Manchester City's potential sixth signing of the summer has emerged courtesy of Fabrizio Romano.

    Football
  • Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk sent home from Netherlands squad on eve of Bosnia clash
  • Ronald Koeman reveals what Virgil van Dijk has told him about leaving Liverpool while on Netherlands duty
  • Virgil van Dijk gives worrying update on Liverpool future
  • Virgil van Dijk breaks silence on future as Liverpool 'make contract decision'